of chicago



Patented Sept. 28, 1926.

UNITED STATE tec ies PATENT OFFICE.

LYLE STOCKTON ABBOTT,OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS. ASSIGNOR TO CHICAGO FIREBRICK COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

FURNACE-ARCH HOLDER.

Application filed December My invention relates to furnace arch holdersand more particularly to a furnace arch holder that yieldingly holds therefractory blocks or bricks in position.

It is customary to make the roofs of certain furnaces, such as malleableiron furnaces, air melting furnaces and the like in segmental form so asto permit a port on of the roof to be readily moved for charging thefurnace. Because of the high temperatures prevailing in a furnace ofthis character, the said roofs must be constructed of a refractorymaterial. What is known in the art as bung brick is ordinarily used forthis purpose. These bricks or blocks are proportioned so as to form anarch and are held together inarched form by means of clamps or holdersof metal, each holcer or support being used for holding one row of suchbricks or blocks in position. The roof is composed of a series of suchrows supported in the manner referred to above, the rows extendingtransversely across the furnace.

Due to the fact that the refractory blocks or bricks are con'iparativelythin, there is considerable radiation of heat from the bricks, which aremounted under the support, toward said support, causing said support orclamp to become heated and to expand during such heating to aconsiderable extent beyond the ordinary length thereof, when the partsare cool. As a re sult, when the bricks are fitted into the support orholder tight enough to prevent the same from falling out when cold, thebricks or blocks will be placed under a considerable pressure when thesame are heated as these heat up more rapidly than the metallic partswhich are at a greater distnacc from the area in which combustion is taking place, which pressurecauses the life of the brick to be shortenedandoften causes distortion of the brick.

It is a purpose of my invention to provide the holder or supportingmember for the bricks or blocks with means the bricks or blocks so as toclamp the same in position and at the same time permit the same toexpand due to yielding of said chunping means as the parts becomeheated. The yielding means is such that the same 21, 1925. Serial No.76,776.

will adjust itself as conditions in the furnace change and as thevarious parts of the device become heated so that the bricks or blockswill always be clamped firmly in position without any undue pressurebeing exerted between the bricks or blocks.

The means preferably comprises a pair of members engaging the end bricksor blocks of the row and carried by means longitudinally movable alongthe supporting member together with means foryieldingly moving saidbrick or block engaging mem bers toward each other to yieldingly holdthe blocks or bricks in engagement with each other and with thesupporting member.

It is a further purpose of the invention to provide resilientmeans,preferably com pression springs, for accomplishing such yieldingengagement of the block or brick engaging members with said bricks orblocks and to provide means for adjusting the compression of the springsto suit various conditions.

It is a specific purpose of the invention to provide pivot-allysupported shoes engaging the end bricks or blocks which are carried byslidable members mounted on the supporting members, said slidablemembers being urged toward each other by the resilient means and thepivotally mounted shoes being so mounted as to engage the bricks orblocks flatly under all conditions. As the expansion of the bricks orblocks is not the same throughout their thickness from the exposed sidethereof to the side thereof adjacent the supporting member, the angularposition of the face of the brick in engagement with the shoe variesduring the time that the parts are in place and the furnace is inoperation. The pivoting in such a manner that the shoes flatly engage isaccordingly of great importance, as it pro vides for a more uniformpressure between the various bricks or blocks and betweenthe end bricksor blocks and the shoes, thus also more uniformly distributing pressurethroughout the individual bricks or blocks, which of course, increasesthe life thereof.

Other objects and advantagesof my invention will. appear as thedescription of the accompanying drawings proceeds. However, I desire tohave it distinctly understood that I do not intend to limit myself tothe V exact details shown or described, but that I intend to include aspart of my invention all such obvious changes and modifications of partsas would occur to a person skilled in this art and as would tall withinthe scope of the claims.

ln the rawings: V

1 is a side elevation'of one of my improved arch holding members withthe bricks or blocks in place thereon;

2 is a section taken on the line of Fig. 1. on an enlarged scale; and

Fig. 3 is a section taken on the line 33 of Fig. 1. on an enlargedscale.

7 Referring in detail to the drawings my improved holder comprises asupporting member 10 that is made in the form of a T- shaped castinghaving: an upstanding wel ,portion 11 and laterally extending flanges12. The underside of the member 10 is curved in one'direction so as toform an arch-like or slightlyconcave lowerface 13, said lower face beingstraight across transversely, as will be obvious from Fig. 27 The entiremember 10 is curved along somewhat similar lines as would be evidentfrom Fig. 1.

Mounted on the opposite ends of the member 10 are the brackets 14, thesame being secured in position by means of the bolts 15 or any othersecuring members extending through the flanges 12 of the member 10. Thebracket members 14 are provided with bores 16 therein within which areslid ably mounted the blocks or followers 17. The position of the blocksor t'ollowers 17 is adjustable by means of the set screws 18 extendingthrough the ends of the brackets 14 and screwthreadedly eno'a nine;therewith. A projection 19 is provided on each of the blocks 17 aroundwhich engages one end of the coil spring 20, the other end of whicheste-nds around a p t jection 21 provided on the block 22, there being;two of said blocks 22 provided on the member 10. The blocks 22, as willbe evident from Fig. 2. are pro vided with flanges 23 embracine thetiana'es 12 whereby said members 22 are slidahly mounted on the member'10. The downward extensions 24 on the members are provided with groovedsocket portions 25 into which the partly cylindrical projections 26 onthe shoes 27 extend. The shoes 2? are thus pivotally mounted on themembers which members 22 are in turn slidablv mounted on the flanges ofthe member 10.

Mounted in engagementwith the smooth under face 13 of the member 10 arethe refractory blocks or bricks which collectively form an arch, as willbe clear from Fig. l. The bricks 28 are arranged in a row along; themember 10 as *ill be evident from the drawings and the shoes 27 thefaces 29 of the bricks 28 at the ends of the row, said engagement beingalways substantially flatwise due the fact that the pivot ot the member27 is substantially midway between thelower exposed faces :30 thcrcotand the faces 31 in engagen'ient with the member 10. 5

In assembling the device. the members. 22 are first mounted in position.utter which the brackets ll ari secured in place. then in order toassemble the r j torvblocks with the member ltl the screws '18 areturned out to their fftlll cfltlllt permittinir the members 22togethenwith the pivotallv mounted shoes 27 to be spread apart so thatthe infractorv blocks or bricks 28 can readily be placed in positionwith their edges 31 in eng ao'ement with the lower face 13 o! theircmlier 10. The screws 'i i are then moved inwartly, forcing); theblocks or Followers against the Sl'lllllllffs 21 nnl thcv are compressedto such an extent that the s idablc members 22 will be moved to such aposition that the shoes 27 will clamp the roiapof bricks 28 between thesame. The spi'in irs fll are only compressed to such an extent byadjustment of thenieinbers 18 as to slight lv more than counteract theend thrust ot the blocks 28 forming the arch when cold and when in theposition they assume when in the furnace. The lock nuts 32 provided onthe members 18 are then tightened to hold said men'ibers 18 in adjustedposition.

A pluralitv ot the holders with their refractory blocks clamped inposition thereon are then assembled in adjoining relation on thefurnace. The heating (it the furnace causes the expansion not only ofthe bricks or blocks 28, but of the supporting); member 10 as well. Dueto the diilcrcuce in char acteristics of the material of the bricks orblocks 28 and of the member 10. howcrer, and due to the radiation ofheat from the supporting member 10. there is a cmisideu able'di'lliercnce in temperature. between the inner faces 30 of the bricksor blocks 25% and the outer faces 31 of said bricks or blocks.liurthermore. due to the di Terence in the coetiicientof expansionbetween iron and refractorv materials. there is a variation in expansionbetween the rcliactorv material and the iron supporting member. whichvariation furthermore varies depending on the. rising or falling of thetemperature in the furnace. All these factors (nicratiinr to-- pgethercauses at times a flattening of the arch and consequently. a. change inthe angle of the face. 29 of the end. ones of the bricks 2 This,however, is compensated 'lor due to the pivotal niountinir otthe shoes21' on the members Due to the location of the pivotal axis of the shoes2?, the pressure of the shoes is equallv distributed on the end bricksat all times. Furthermore. when the expansion of the rc'tractory arch isgreater than that of the su rporting member ill, the

ltlll '28, these could be dispensed with slidable members 22 are forcedfurther apart, thus compressing the springs 21 to a greater extent. a

It will thus be seen that all adjustments necessary to prevent unduepressure on the refractory members 28 and to prevent the same fromdropping out of 30Slti0i1 are made automaticallydue to the constructionof the holder and are not de vendent on the attention of a furnaceattendant.

ll hile the member 10 is described as being a casting, it can obviouslybe made in any other manner and the particula rape can be varied asdesirec, the important feature being that the members 22 are longitrdnally movable thcrealong. The members are so made that the undercutgrooves provided between the body portion thereof and the flanges 23 arelarge enough to allow for a certain amount of play between the flanges12 and the member 22 and further- -more the extent of the flanges 23such to allow considerable play between the web 11 and the ends of theflanges, this being desirable because of the changes in the size of theparts due to heating of the same when in position on the furnace:

It will also be obvious that while the pivoted member onshoe 27desirable to obtain the highest efficiency fr j'il dev ce and to obtaina construction that causes the least possible damage to the bricks orblocks if desired, and the slidable members 22 could have theirsubstantially flat forward faces 38 directly engaging with the blocks28.

Having thus described my invention, what I desire to claim and secure byUnited States Letters Patent is: i

1. In a device of the character dcsc a supporting member, a plurality ofie: tory blocks lying side by side and engaging said supporting memberand mca for yieldingly holding said blocks in eng g ment with each othercomprising a'pair of members slidably engaging said supporting memberand means for yieldingly urging said slidable members towardsaid blocks.

2. In a device of the character descrn an arched supporting member,plurality of refractory blocLs lying side by side and engaging the underside ofsaid supporting member and means for yieldingly holding saidblocks in engagement with each other in arched form comprising a lair ofmembers slidably engaging said supporting ii nher and means foryieldingly urg if mid slid-able members toward said blocks.

3. In a device of the character deecril d, an arched supporting member,a plurality of refractory blocks lying side by side and engaging theunderside of said supporting member and means for yicldingly holdingsaid blocks in engagement with (Moi other in arcned form comprising apair of 111G111- here slidably engaging said supporting mem- 3G1 andmeans for yieldingly urging said slidable i'neinbers to 'ard each otherto hold said blocks in engagement with each othe and with saidsupporting member.

4-. In a device 9f the character described, a supporting member-havinglaterally extending fiaz j s, a PlllTRl y of refractory blocks lyingside by side and engaging said supporting men'iber and means foryieldingly holding said blocks in engagement with each. otherconiprisin2 a pair of members embracing the flanges on said supportingor ueldmgly urging member and means said last mentioned members other.

5. In a device of ti e character described, an a'ched supporting memberhaving laterally extending flanges, a plurality of refractory blockslying side by side and engaging the flanges on said supporting memherand means for yieldingly holding said blocks in engagement witi eachother in arched form comprising a pair of members embracing the flangeson said supporting member and means for yieldingly urging said lastmentioned members toward each other.

6. In a device of the character described, a supporting member, aplurality of refractory blocks lying side by side and engaging saidsiujaporting member and means for yiadingy holding said blot-4s in cngsment with each other comprising a p '4 members slidably engaging saidsuppoi member and res nt means yield'n tv urging said slidable memberstoward said blocks.

Y. In a device of the cter described, a supporting member, plurality ofrcfactory blocks lying side by lo and engaging said supporting men herand means for yieldingly holding said blocks in ment with each othercomprci. g a pair of members slidably eng said supporting member andconu'ircssion springs for yieldingly urging said slidable members towardsaid blocks.

8. In a device of the che or described, a supporting member, a pluralityrcfractory blocks arranged in a row yieldingly in engagement with eachother 11 toward each 9;

arch formation comprising members engaging the end blocks of said row,resilient means for yieldingly urging said members toward each other andmeans embodying a sliding connection and a pivotal connection formounting said last mentioned members on said supporting member.

s 10. In a device of the character described, a flanged supportingmember, a plurality of refractory blocks arranged in a row along saidmember and means for holding said blocks yieldingly in engagement witheach other in arch formation comprising members engaging the end blocksof said row, resilient means for yieldingly urging said members towardeach other and means embodying a sliding connection and a pivotalconnection for mounting said last mentioned members on said supportingmember.

11. In a device oi the character described, a supporting member, aplurality of blocks arranged in a row along said supporting member andmeans for supporting said row of blocks in arch formation from saidsupporting member comprising means on said supporting member engagingthe blocks at opposite ends of said row, the means at least at one endof said row comprising a member bodily movable longitudinally of saidsupporting member, resilient means for yieldingly urging the same towardsaid row of blocks and tiltable means on said longitudinally movablemember engaging the end block of said row adjacent thereto.

12. In a device of the character described, a supporting member, aplurality of blocks arranged in a row along said supporting member andmeans for supporting said row of blocks in arch formation from saidsupporting member comprising means on said supporting member engagingthe blocks at opposite ends of said row, the means at least at one endof said row comprising a member slidable on said supporting member andresilient means tor yieldingly urging the same toward id row of blocks.

13. In a device of the character described, a su iiporting member, aplurality of blocks arranged in a row along said supporting member andmeans for supporting said row of blocks in arch formation from saidsupporting member comprising means on said supporting member engagingthe blocks at opposite ends of said row, the means at least at one endof said row comprising a member slidable on said supporting member,resilient means for yieldingly urging the same toward said row ofblocks, and a shoe engaging the end block of said row adjacent theretopivotally mounted on said slidable member.

In a device of the character described, a supporting member, a pluralityof blocks arranged in a row along said supporting member and means forsupportingsaid row of blocks in arch tEorination from said supportingmember comprising means on said supporting member engagingthe blocks atopposite ends of said row, the means at least at one end oi said rowcomprising a member slidable on said supporting member, resilient meansfor yieldingly urging the same toward said row oi blocl-Ls. and a shoeengaging the end block of said row adjacent thereto pivotally mounted onsaid slid able member so as to engage flatly with said block at alltimes. '7

15. In a device of the character described, a supporting member, aplurality oi blmfks arranged in a row along said supporting member "andmeans for supporting said row of blocks in arch formation from saidsupporting member comprising a pair of menu bers mounted forlongitudinal movement on said supporting member, means on each oi saidlast mentioned members engaging the end blocks of said row and means foryieldingg ly holding said last mentioned means in engagement. with saidend blocks.

16. In a device of the character descr bed, a supporting member, aplurality 0 blocks arranged in a row along said supporting member andmeans for supporting said row of blocks in arch formation from saidsupporting member comprising a pair oif members mounted for longitudinalmovement on said supporting member, means on each ot said last mentionedmembers engaging the end blocks of said row, said hlock eugagi:

means being mounted to engage said bloc flatly at all times and means:ior yieldiugiy holding said block-engaging means in engagement withsaid end blocks.

17. In a device of the character de cribed. a supporting member, aplurality of blocks arranged in a row along said supporting member andmeans for supporting said rou of blocks in arch formation from said supporting member comprising a pair of menu bers mount-ed for longitudinalmovement on said supporting member, means pivot-ally mounted on each oisaid last mentioned members engaging the end blocks of said row andmeans for yicldingly holding said block-engaging means in engagementwith said end blocks.

18. In a device of the character de ribed. a supporting member, aplurality oi blocks arranged in a row along said supporting member andmeans for supporting said row of blocks in arch formation from said supporting member comprising a pair o' f menu bers mounted for longitudinalmovement orsaid supporting member, means on cru-h oi said last mentionedmen'ibers engaging the end blocks of said row and resilient means foryieldingly holding said block-engruginir means in engagement with saidend blocks.

19. In a device of the character described, a-supporting member, aplurality of blocks ltlU arranged in a row along said supp rting memberand means for supporting sa d row of blocks in arch formation from saidsup porting member comprising a pair of mem bers mounted forlongitudinal movement on said supporting member, shoes pivotally mountedon each of said last mentioned members engaging the end blocks of saidrow and means for yieldingly holding said shoes in engagement with saidend blocks.

20. In a device of the character des a supporting member, a plurality of.iloclrs arranged in a row along said su'ppurting member and means forsupporting said row of blocks in arch :tormation "from said supportingmember comprising a pair of members mounted for longitudinal movement onsaid supporting member, slices pivotally mounted on each of said lastmentioned members engaging the end blocks of said ing member, means foryieldingly urging said slidable members toward said blocks and means foradjusting said last mentioned means.

In a device of the character described, a supporting member, a pluralityof refractory blocks arranged in a row along said member and means forholding said blocks yieldingly in engagement With each other in archformation comprising members engaging the end blocks of said row,adjustable means for yieldingly urging said members toward each otherand means embodying a sliding connection and a pivotal connection fomounting said last mentioned members on said supporting member.

In a device of the character described, a supporting member, a pluralityof blocks arranged in a roW along said supporting member and means forsupporting said row oit' blocks in arch formation from said supportingmember comprising a pair 0r members mounted for longitudinal movement onsaid supporting member, means on each of said last mentioned membersengaging the end blocks of said TOW'ZLIlCl adjustable means foryieldingly holding said block-engaging means in engagement With said endblocks.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 7th day ofDecember A. D,

LYLE STOCKTON ABBOTT.

